And how to be happy.
Did you know there’s a bunch of people out there who research our happiness? These guys are actively working out which places are happiest and why.
Sadly, my copy of Waitrose Weekend (above) tells me the UK rates at just 23rd in the UN’s World’s Happiness Report. It’s the Danes that are taking the top spot in the joy stakes. The reason? A ‘brand of Scandinavian cheer’ called Hygge which is being exported in the form of a book called The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik Wiking.
So, what’s the deal? We could all do with some more happiness, right? So, I’m keen to discover what the Danes are up to that us Brits are not… and the answer my yogi friends, got me-a smiling.
Here’s the why.
People who are Hygge:
- Appreciate the small things in life that bring joy
- Are looking for lifestyles that bring a sense of peace and calm
- Place a premium on being ‘in the moment’
- Practice everything in moderation
- Get close to nature
- Are consciously cozy
- Place an emphasis on togetherness, gratitude, savouring and atmosphere
- Are less interested in material things.
- Want harmony not competition. There is no need to brag about achievements.
Yogi friends…are you finding any of this familiar?
The article comes to a wrap by asking if the Brits are too questioning and angsty to let ourselves be ‘hygee’ happy or if our ‘snug bars and country cottages prove we are more ‘hygge’ than we think’.
Are Brits more yogi than we think?
It’s a great question, and I say this because I’ve asked it myself, many a time. But I didn’t use the word hygge. Nope, I’ve been playing with the question ‘are us Brits more yogi than we think?’ and making it my purpose to help all those that want to, find the yoga in them.
Now I’m sat thinking… is Denmark a nation that practices hygge, or are they a nation of yogis-in-training? And, if they are, is that the actual reason why they are the world’s most contented nation…?
Questions, questions. I was born asking why… ask my poor mum.
So, I’m going to put it out there that this world has a word for what the Danish are doing to earn them the top spot in the happiness stakes…and it’s not hygge it’s yoga (…in essence).
I will watch with interest as this new curiously named lifestyle trend starts to reach our shores. Will the British be more open to practice hygge than yoga and how much more comfortable will we be to take on the label of ‘hygge’ than ‘yogi’.
What do you think? Stay happy folks…
Did you know?
Did you know that if you have a happy friend, your happiness goes up by 15 per cent? If you have a happy friend that has a happy friend, it goes up another 10 per cent. If you have a happy friend that has a happy friend that you don’t even know, your happiness goes up another 10 per cent. This goes on and on….
Make your wellbeing your priority, we’re all relying on you!
Josie X
